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CAIRO — Prior to the scheduled Sept. 22 start of the new academic year in Egypt, the controversy over mixed-gender universities has resurfaced.
Sameh Abdel Hamid, a prominent Salafist preacher in Egypt, criticized in an Aug. 17 statement the mixed-gender system in Egypt's public universities. He called on the government to segregate male and female students, claiming mixed educational facilities lead to "customary marriages" and increased harassment of women. In a customary marriage — known as nikah 'urfi — the contract is not officially registered with the state and no witnesses are required.
